UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

Sherdog.com recently ran an article confirming that the UFC has signed Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Quentin "Rampage" Jackson to fight in the UFC in 2007.

For those who do not know much about either of these two fighters, here is the rundown:

Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic is widely considered to be the #2 heavyweight in the world, behind Pride Fighting Championship's current heavyweight title holder Fedor Emelianenko. At 6'2 and 214 pounds CroCop is capable of fighting as both a heavyweight and a lightheavyweight in the UFC.

In September of this year Cro Cop won the Pride Absolute Grand Prix. Over the course of the tournament, Mirko defeated Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa (a staple of Japanese MMA), Hidehiko Yoshida (Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo), Wanderlei Silva (Pride's 200 pound division champion and considered to be the #1 rival of Chuck Liddell) and Josh Barnett (a former UFC heavyweight Champion, sort of) using his striking game, most notably his left leg, possibly the most dangerous single strike in all of MMA.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson may be the most dangerous lightheavyweight in the world. Ask Chuck Liddell, he knows.

In November of 2003 Chuck Liddell took a short venture away from the UFC after losing to Randy Couture, hoping to rebuild his career in Japan. After a first round KO victory over Alistair Overeem at PRIDE- Total Elimination 2003, Chuck went on to Final Conflict. What he found was the absolutely destructive slams of Rampage Jackson walking right through his legendary takedown defense and 3 minutes into the second round Chuck Liddell recieved the third (and most recent) loss of his career via TKO.

Rampage is most noted for his brute strength, which is unmatched by any fighter I have ever seen in a lightheavyweight division anywhere.

The UFC recently announced that Crocop will be fighting undefeated up and coming heavyweight Eddie Sanchez (7-0-0) in what many PRIDE fans expect to be the kind of decimation we saw when Anderson Silva crossed over and destroy Chris Leben. That matchup is scheduled for the February card.

Though Rampage's official opponent has not yet been announced, many anticipate a rematch with 2 time UFC veteran Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman who, though he was beaten twice, always puts on a show.

I am extremely excited to see Rampage back in the big leagues, and this has managed to get me even more excited believe it or not. I have only one question, will Rampages slams be less effective in the octogon compared to the ring? I guess we will find out soon enough, i can almost guarentee someone is going for a ride.

Just for fun here are some Rampage quotes:

"when I win the pride belt, I'm going to do everything with the pride belt. when I'm playing video games, I will play with the Pride belt. when I'm taking a sh*t, I am gonna take it with the Pride belt. when I'm f*cking, Im gonna f*ck with the Pride belt"

"Trainings been good, Ive been drinkin less, playin less video games. So tell Chuck to suck in that gut, put his hands up, and do his sh*t"

Interviewer: Rampage, what do you see in the future outcome of this fight?
Rampage: Man I ain't got no crystal ball, I just got two balls, know what I'm sayin?

Quadros: "Now let me introduce you to a man with class, a man with family values: Quinton Jackson"
Rampage: *bleep*
Quadros: "If the world were devoid of cursing, what would you say?"
Rampage: *bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*

Quadros: Do you feel slighted that you have to fight a "stronger" fighter in the Grand Prix than Wanderlei?
Jackson: Slighted!? sh*t don't use big words Im only a fighter

To Wanderlei Silva before the match
"Me Amy, good gorilla! *beats his chest* "You know what it feel like to get yo ass whoop by a black man? that shit hurt".

MMA WEEKLY: Rampage, what have u been up to since ur fight with wanderlei?
RAMPAGE: A lot, i beat 3 games.

FAN: Rampage, did you always thought you were gonna be a fighter?
RAMPAGE: "hell no, I thought I was gonna be a porn star!"

"My friends from college took me to a show, and these wrestlers up their kicking ass. I was like damn, you could get paid for kicking ass, and you don't go to jail? Sign me up! 2 months later I was fighting dawg!"

"I've got a strategy, it's called whoop that ass!"

Stephen Quadros: Would you be concerned about Satake's invisible kick?

Quinton Jackson: I guess so, goddamit, 'cuz if it's invisible, I cannot see the *beep*.

interviewer: Quinton. What do you think Igor can do to beat you?

Quinton Jackson: I think he can knock me the *beep* out! That's what I think!

I gotta say I wasn't planning on buying UFC 67 because I don't even think Serra or Lutter are going to be good fights, but now that I hear Rampage and Cro Cop are both going to be there, I am getting it for sure